QMAS Quality in Meat and Fish Analysis Scheme Scheme Description LGC Standards Proficiency Testing 1 Chamberhall Business Park Chamberhall Green Bury Lancashire BL9 0AP United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) 161 762 2500 Fax: +44 (0) 161 762 2501 Email: ptcustomerservices@lgcgroup.com Website www.lgcstandards.com Issue: 19 Issue date: September 2018
Record of issue status and modifications ISSUE ISSUE DATE DETAILS AUTHORISED BY 10 Mar 2013 Updated to include new samples 749 & 750. M. Whetton 11 July 2013 Updated to include new sample 751 for fish speciation. M. Whetton 12 Sept 2013 ph added to sample 734. Information for 749, 751 & 752 updated. Included microbiological method codes W.Gaunt S. Frisicaro Removal of Vibrio cholerae parameter from 745. New analytes added to 741, 742 & 747. Inclusion of traceability 13 Sept 2014 standardisation amendments, e.g. logo and email addresses. information in Appendix A. Inclusion of subcontracting S.Frisicaro information in Test Materials section. Minor W. Gaunt 14 Sept 2015 15 Mar 2016 16 Sept 2016 17 Sept 2017 18 June 2018 19 Aug 2018 Added new trial sample Aeromonas species in fish (753). Updated test methods for all microbiology samples. Removed 751, revised sample 752 Removed Hard copy report information Clarification of units for sample 732. Updated to include Samples 754 and 755. Removal of Aeromonas trial sample 753 from scheme. Proximates reorganised and general update of appendices Added two new multi-analyte microbiology samples 756 and 757, (each sample is a set of two), to go out four times per year Increase number of rounds for samples 735, 736, 737, 738, 746 to four times per year Add total anaerobic mesophilic count as analyte to sample 738 Change enumeration of sulphite-reducing clostridia to enumeration of sulphite-reducing bacteria in sample 738 Addition of Cholesterol and Saturated fat to sample 730 Addition of Cholesterol, saturated fat, iron and magnesium to sample 731 Method update for various micro samples SDPA values updated (chemistry). Updated method details to ALL for microbiology samples and amended Methods paragraph. Listeria ID added to sample 737. Sample 758 Psychrotrophs added Sample 759 Listeria species enumeration added A.Cheetham W. Gaunt A.McCarthy W. Gaunt S. Xystouris A.Cheetham W. Gaunt S. Xystouris T.Noblett W. Gaunt W. Gaunt S. Xystouris A.Cheetham Notes: Where this document has been translated, the English version shall remain the definitive version Issue: 19 Page 2 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Scheme Aims and Organisation The primary aim of the Quality in Meat and Fish Analysis Scheme (QMAS) is to enable laboratories performing the analysis of meat and fish products to monitor their performance and compare it with that of their peers. QMAS also aims to provide information to participants on technical issues and methodologies relating to the chemical and microbiological examination of meat and fish. The QMAS scheme year operates from January to December. Further information about QMAS, including test material availability, round despatch dates and reporting deadlines, are available on the current QMAS application form. Test Materials Details of test materials available in QMAS are given in Appendix A. The test parameters are continually reviewed to ensure they meet the needs of current laboratory testing and regulatory requirements. Test material batches are tested for homogeneity for at least one test parameter where deemed appropriate. Details of homogeneity tests performed and results are given in the QMAS Scheme Reports. Some aspects of the scheme, such as test material production, homogeneity testing and stability assessment, can from time to time be subcontracted. When subcontracting occurs, it is placed with a competent subcontractor and LGC is responsible for this work. The planning of the scheme, the evaluation of performance and the authorisation of the final report will never be subcontracted. Statistical Analysis Information on the statistics used in QMAS can be found in the General Protocol and in the Scheme Report. Methods for determining assigned values and the values for SDPA used for individual samples are given in Appendix A Methods Methods are listed in PORTAL. Please select the most appropriate method from the list. If none of the methods are appropriate, then please report your method as Other and record a brief description in the Comments Section in PORTAL. Results and Reports QMAS results are returned through our electronic reporting software, PORTAL, full instructions for which are provided by email. However, participants may request result submission forms on which to report and return results if they are unable to report through electronic means. This will incur an additional charge. QMAS reports will be available on the website within 10 working days of round closure. Participants will be emailed a link to the report when it is available. Issue: 19 Page 3 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
APPENDIX A - Description of abbreviations used Assigned Value (AV) The assigned value may be derived in the following ways: From the robust mean (median) of participant results (RMean). This is the median of participant results after the removal of test results that are inappropriate for statistical evaluation, e.g. miscalculations, transpositions and other gross errors. Generally, the assigned value will be set using results from all methods, unless the measurement is considered method-dependant, in which case the assigned value will be set by method as illustrated in the report tables. For some analytes, where there is a recognised reference method for that type of measurement, this may be used as the assigned value for a particular analyte i.e. it would be applied to results obtained by any method. Traceability: Assigned values which are derived from the participant results, or a sub-set of the results are not traceable to an international measurement standard. The uncertainty of assigned values derived in this way is estimated from the participant results, according to ISO 13528. From a formulation value (Formulation). This denotes the use of an assigned value derived from sample preparation details, where known and exact quantities of analyte have been used to prepare the sample. Traceability: Assigned values calculated from the formulation of the test sample are traceable, via an unbroken metrological traceability chain, to an international measurement standard. The measurement uncertainty of the assigned value is calculated using the contributions from each calibration in the traceability chain. From a qualitative formulation (Qual Form). This applies to qualitative tests where the assigned value is simply based on the presence/absence of the analyte in the test material. Traceability: Assigned values calculated from the qualitative formulation of the test sample are traceable to a certified reference standard or a microbiological reference strain. From expert labs (Expert). The assigned value for the analyte is provided by an expert laboratory. Traceability: Assigned values provided by an expert laboratory may be traceable to an international measurement standard, according to the laboratory and the method used. The uncertainty of measurement for an assigned value produced in this way will be provided by the laboratory undertaking the analysis. Details of traceability and the associated uncertainty will be provided in the report for the scheme/round. Range This indicates the concentration range at which the analyte may be present in the test material. SDPA The SDPA represents the standard deviation for proficiency assessment which is used to assess participant performance for the measurement of each analyte. This may be a fixed value (as stated), a percentage (%) of the assigned value or based on the robust standard deviation of the participant measurement results, either across all methods or by method depending on whether the measurement made is method dependent (see assigned value). Issue: 19 Page 4 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Units This indicates the units used for the assessment of data. These are the units in which participants should report their results. For some analytes in some schemes participants may have a choice of which units to report their results, however, the units stipulated in this scheme description are the default units to which any results reported using allowable alternative results will be converted to. DP This indicates the number of decimal places to which participants should report their measurement results. Issue: 19 Page 5 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Chemistry samples Sample 730 QMAS Scheme Description Chemical analysis of meat and meat products 150g of dried/cured meat Energy All All Median 4% of AV Kcal or KJ/100g 0 Total fat All All Median 4% of AV (min 0.1%) % 2 Saturates* All All Median Robust SD % 2 Cholesterol* All All Median Robust SD % 2 Carbohydrate All All Median Robust SD % 2 Total sugars All All Median 0.50% % 2 Dietary fibre All All Median 0.50% % 2 Protein All All Median 3% of AV (min 0.20%) % 2 Salt All All Median 6% of AV (min 0.15%) %NaCl 2 Ash All All Median 2% of AV (min 0.05%) % 2 Moisture All All Median 0.40% % 2 Sodium All All Median 0.10% % 2 Phosphate All All Median 0.10% %PO 4 2 ph All All Median 0.10 ph units 2 *All results must to be reported as the concentration determined in test material provided. Sample 731 Chemical analysis of meat and meat products 150g of precooked, raw or processed meat Energy All All Median 3% of AV Kcal or KJ/100g 0 Total fat All All Median 4% of AV (min 0.1%) % 2 Saturates* All All Median Robust SD % 2 Cholesterol* All All Median Robust SD % 2 Carbohydrate All All Median Robust SD % 2 Total sugars All All Median 0.50% % 2 Dietary fibre All All Median 0.50% % 2 Protein All All Median 3% of AV (min 0.20%) % 2 Salt All All Median 6% of AV (min 0.15%) %NaCl 2 Ash All All Median 2% of AV (min 0.05%) % 2 Moisture All All Median 0.40% % 2 Issue: 19 Page 6 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Sodium All All Median 0.10% % 2 Phosphate All All Median 0.10% %PO 4 2 ph All All Median 0.10 ph units 2 Calcium All All Median Robust SD mg/100g 2 Potassium All All Median Robust SD mg/100g 2 Iron All All Median Robust SD mg/100g 2 Magnesium All All Median Robust SD mg/100g 2 *All results must to be reported as the concentration determined in test material provided. Sample 732 Nitrate and nitrite analysis of meat and meat products 30g of lyophilised meat 0 to 60ppm: 15ppm mg/kg (as Nitrate All 1-100 mg/kg Median 1 >60ppm: 25% AV NaNO 3 ) 0-20ppm: 5ppm mg/kg (as Nitrite All 20 500 mg/kg Median 1 >20ppm 25% AV NaNO 2 ) Sample 733 Chemical analysis of meat and meat products 150g of meat Hydroxyproline All All Median 0.05% % 2 Starch All All Median Robust SD % 2 Total fat All All Median 4% of AV (min 0.15) g/100g* 2 Saturates* All All Median 20% of AV g/100g* 2 Mono-unsaturates* All All Median 20% of AV g/100g* 2 Poly-unsaturates* All All Median 20% of AV g/100g* 2 Total trans fatty acids* All All Median Robust SD g/100g* 2 *All results must to be reported as the concentration determined in test material provided. Sample 734 Chemical analysis of fish (fresh or processed) 150g of fish Fat All All Median 0.25% % 2 Issue: 19 Page 7 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Protein All All Median 3% of AV (min 0.20%) % 2 Salt All All Median 0.15% % 2 Ash All All Median 0.10% % 2 Moisture All All Median 0.40% % 2 ph All All Median 0.10 ph units 2 Sample 741 Elements in seafood (other than fish) 150g of seafood Total Arsenic All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Cadmium All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Mercury All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Lead All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Phosphorus All All Median 10% AV mg/kg (PO 4 ) 2 Zinc All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Sample 742 Elements in fish (fresh or processed) 150g of fish Total Arsenic All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Cadmium All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Mercury All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Lead All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Phosphorus All All Median 10% AV mg/kg (PO 4 ) 2 Zinc All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Sample 747* Elements in meat 150g of processed meat Total Arsenic All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Cadmium All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Mercury All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Issue: 19 Page 8 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
# QMAS Scheme Description Lead All All Median 10% AV mg/kg 2 Zinc All All Median Robust SD mg/kg 2 Sample 748* Quality parameters in fresh fish 150g of fish Histamine All All Median Robust SD mg/kg 2 Total volatile nitrogen (TVN) All All Median Robust SD mg/100g 2 Trimethylamine (TMA) All All Median Robust SD mg/100g 2 Sample 749* Meat authenticity 2 x set of 6 samples (2g each) - various concentrations Presence/Absence PCR & ELISA 0-100% Formulation N/A - - Quantification PCR & (% to 2 decimal places) ELISA 0-100% Median Robust SD % 2 Sample 752* Fish identification 4 x 20g fresh fish Fish species identification PCR & ELISA - Formulation N/A - - Sample 754* Chloramphenicol in seafood 50g prawns Chloramphenicol All All Median Robust SD µg/kg 2 Issue: 19 Page 9 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Sample 755* QMAS Scheme Description Ractopamine (β-agonist) in meat 100g beef Ractopamine All All Median Robust SD µg/kg 2 *currently not included in LGC s UKAS Scope of Accreditation Microbiological samples Sample 735 Indicator organisms in meat and meat based products 10g of lyophilised meat Total aerobic mesophilic count Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae Enumeration of Coliforms Enumeration of Escherichia coli Sample 736 Detection of Salmonella in meat and meat based products 25g of lyophilised meat Detection of Salmonella species All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Sample 737 Detection of Listeria in meat and meat based products 25g of lyophilised meat Detection of Listeria species All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Detection of Listeria monocytogenes Identification of Listeria species All 0 to 1,000 Formulation N/A N/A N/A Issue: 19 Page 10 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Sample 738 Clostridium and staphylococci in meat and meat based products 10g of lyophilised meat Total anaerobic mesophilic All 0 to 100,000 RMean log10 0.35 cfu g -1 0 count Enumeration of Clostridium perfringens Enumeration of sulphitereducing bacteria Enumeration of coagulase positive staphylococci Sample 739 Indicator organisms in fish and fish based products 1 x 10ml vial plus 10g of lyophilised fish or shellfish material Total aerobic mesophilic count All 0 to 1,000 RMean log 10 0.35 cfu g -1 0 Enumeration of All 0 to 1,000 RMean log 10 0.35 cfu g -1 0 Enterobacteriaceae Enumeration of Escherichia coli All 0 to 1,000 RMean log 10 0.35 cfu g -1 0 Enumeration of coagulase positive staphylococci All 0 to 1,000 RMean log 10 0.35 cfu g -1 0 Sample 740 Detection of Salmonella in fish and shellfish products 1 x 10ml vial plus 25g of lyophilised fish or shellfish material Detection of Salmonella species All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Sample 743 Detection of Campylobacter in meat and meat based products 1 x 10ml vial plus 25g of lyophilised meat Detection of Campylobacter All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A species Issue: 19 Page 11 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Sample 744 QMAS Scheme Description Detection of E.coli O157 in meat and meat based products 1 x 10ml vial plus 25g of lyophilised meat Detection of E.coli O157 All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Sample 745 Detection of Vibrio in fish and shellfish products 1 x 10ml vial plus 25g of lyophilised fish or shellfish material Detection of Vibrio species Detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Sample 746 Spoilage organisms in meat and meat based products 10g of lyophilised meat Enumeration of Pseudomonas species Enumeration of lactic acid bacteria Enumeration of yeast Enumeration of mould Sample 756 (A & B) Quantitative Package 2 x 10ml vial plus 2 x 10g meat powder matrix Total aerobic mesophilic count Enumeration of total coliforms Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae Enumeration of E. coli Enumeration of B.cereus Enumeration of coagulase positive staphylococci Detection of coagulase positive staphylococci All 0 to 100,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 10g -1 N/A Issue: 19 Page 12 of 13 Issue date: September 2018
Enumeration of yeast Enumeration of mould Enumeration of yeast and mould Sample 757 (A & B) Qualitative Package 2 x 10ml vial plus 2 x 100g meat powder matrix Detection of E. coli O157 All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Detection of Listeria species All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Detection of Listeria monocytogenes Identification of Listeria species All 0 to 1,000 Formulation N/A N/A N/A Detection of Salmonella species All 0 to 1,000 Qual Form N/A cfu 25g -1 N/A Sample 758 Psychrotrophs 10g of lyophilised meat Enumeration of aerobic psychrotrophs Sample 759 Enumeration of Listeria species 10g of lyophilised meat Enumeration of Listeria species Enumeration of L.monocytogenes Issue: 19 Page 13 of 13 Issue date: September 2018